Abstract:

An information processing apparatus that is capable of improving security
by restricting improper registration of address book data. A registration
unit registers a destination into an address book. A first determination
unit determines whether the destination that is to be registered by the
registration unit is a new destination. An addition unit adds
identification information that shows a new destination to the address
book when determined as a new destination by the first determination
unit. A requirement unit requires transmitting and registering the
address book data to another information processing apparatus.

Claims:

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:a registration unit
adapted to register a destination into an address book;a first
determination unit adapted to determine whether the destination that is
to be registered by said registration unit is a new destination;an
addition unit adapted to add identification information that shows a new
destination to the address book when determined as a new destination by
said first determination unit; anda requirement unit adapted to require
transmitting and registering the address book data to another information
processing apparatus.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising:a first display unit adapted to display a message showing
registration success when the registration has succeeded corresponding to
the requirement of registration from said requirement unit; anda second
display unit adapted to display an error message when the registration
has failed corresponding to the requirement of registration from said
requirement unit.

3. An information processing apparatus comprising:a registration unit
adapted to register a destination into an address book;a receiving unit
adapted to receive address book data from another information processing
apparatus;a second determination unit adapted to determine whether
registration of a new destination is restricted when registering the
address book; anda third determination unit adapted to determine whether
identification information that shows a new destination is added to the
address book data received by said receiving unit, when said second
determination unit determines that the registration of a new destination
is restricted,wherein said registration unit registers the address book
data, when said third determination unit determines that the
identification information that shows a new destination is not added to
the address book data concerned.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising:a fourth determination unit adapted to determine whether the
address book data received is data of a transmitting protocol that
restricts registration of a new destination; anda prohibition unit
adapted to prohibit registration of the address book data, when said
fourth determination unit determines that the address book data received
is data of the transmitting protocol that restricts registration of a new
destination.

5. A control method for an information processing apparatus comprising:a
registration step of registering a destination into an address book;a
first determination step of determining whether the destination that is
to be registered in said registration step is a new destination;an
addition step of adding identification information that shows a new
destination to the address book when determined as a new destination in
said first determination step; anda requirement step of requiring
transmitting and registering the address book data to another information
processing apparatus.

6. A control method for an information processing apparatus comprising:a
registration step of registering a destination into an address book;a
receiving step of receiving address book data from another information
processing apparatus;a second determination step of determining whether
registration of a new destination is restricted when registering the
address book; anda third determination step of determining whether
identification information that shows a new destination is added to the
address book data received in said receiving step, when it is determined
that the registration of a new destination is restricted in said second
determination step,wherein the address book data is registered in said
registration step, when it is determined that the identification
information that shows a new destination is not added to the address book
data concerned in said third determination step.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program executing
a control method for an information processing apparatus, the control
method comprising:a registration step of registering a destination into
an address book;a first determination step of determining whether the
destination that is to be registered in said registration step is a new
destination;an addition step of adding identification information that
shows a new destination to the address book when determined as a new
destination in said first determination step; anda requirement step of
requiring transmitting and registering the address book data to another
information processing apparatus.

8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program executing
a control method for an information processing apparatus, the control
method comprising:a registration step of registering a destination into
an address book;a receiving step of receiving address book data from
another information processing apparatus;a second determination step of
determining whether registration of a new destination is restricted when
registering the address book; anda third determination step of
determining whether identification information that shows a new
destination is added to the address book data received in said receiving
step, when it is determined that the registration of a new destination is
restricted in said second determination step,wherein the address book
data is registered in said registration step, when it is determined that
the identification information that shows a new destination is not added
to the address book data concerned in said third determination step.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]1. Field of the Invention

[0002]The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus
for managing address book data, a control method therefor, and a storage
medium storing control program therefor.

[0003]2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]Conventionally, an information processing apparatus like a digital
multifunctional peripheral device converts a scanned document into
electronic form, and transmits it. A transmitting destination is
designated through an input device such as an operation panel or is
designated by selecting from an address book that is registered into an
HDD in the information processing apparatus.

[0005]However, when a user is permitted to input a new destination through
the input device, there is a problem of security that the user can easily
convert a confidential document into electric form and transmit it to an
exterior. Therefore, a function in which an administrator prohibits a
user from designating a new destination that has been inputted by the
user through the input device is generally used.

[0006]In recent years, a technique of synchronizing address books of a
plurality of information processing apparatuses by distributing the
newest address book data among the information processing apparatuses has
been known as a technique of sharing the address book data among the
information processing apparatuses.

[0007]For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No.
2002-232585 (JP 2002-232585A) discloses a technique where an apparatus
that receives an electric mail including destination information in the
mail body detects a specific identifier corresponding to the destination
information included in the mail body, and registers text information
following the identifier into the address book as the destination
information.

[0008]Moreover, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No.
2007-081578 (JP 2007-081578A) discloses a technique of keeping access
restrictions for respective users in order to improve security when the
address book in which the access restrictions for the respective users
are set is distributed.

[0009]However, the sharing of the address book among the information
processing apparatuses causes the following problem when an information
processing apparatus A permits a user to input a new destination and an
information processing apparatus B prohibit a user from inputting a new
destination.

[0010]Since the new destination inputted to the information processing
apparatus A can be registered to the address book of the information
processing apparatus B, the new destination can also be used in the
information processing apparatus B. This causes a problem in security.

[0011]In the prior art, an access to a destination that has been already
registered to the address book is restricted, but an access to a newly
inputted destination is not restricted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012]The present invention provides an information processing apparatus
that is capable of improving security by restricting improper
registration of address book data.

[0013]Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides an
information processing apparatus comprising a registration unit adapted
to register a destination into an address book, a first determination
unit adapted to determine whether the destination that is to be
registered by the registration unit is a new destination, an addition
unit adapted to add identification information that shows a new
destination to the address book when determined as a new destination by
the first determination unit, and a requirement unit adapted to require
transmitting and registering the address book data to another information
processing apparatus.

[0014]Accordingly, a second aspect of the present invention provides an
information processing apparatus comprising a registration unit adapted
to register a destination into an address book, a receiving unit adapted
to receive address book data from another information processing
apparatus, a second determination unit adapted to determine whether
registration of a new destination is restricted when registering the
address book, and a third determination unit adapted to determine whether
identification information that shows a new destination is added to the
address book data received by the receiving unit, when the second
determination unit determines that the registration of a new destination
is restricted, wherein the registration unit registers the address book
data, when the third determination unit determines that the
identification information that shows a new destination is not added to
the address book data concerned.

[0015]Accordingly, a third aspect of the present invention provides a
control method for an information processing apparatus comprising a
registration step of registering a destination into an address book, a
first determination step of determining whether the destination that is
to be registered in the registration step is a new destination, an
addition step of adding identification information that shows a new
destination to the address book when determined as a new destination in
the first determination step, and a requirement step of requiring
transmitting and registering the address book data to another information
processing apparatus.

[0016]Accordingly, a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a
control method for an information processing apparatus comprising a
registration step of registering a destination into an address book, a
receiving step of receiving address book data from another information
processing apparatus, a second determination step of determining whether
registration of a new destination is restricted when registering the
address book, and a third determination step of determining whether
identification information that shows a new destination is added to the
address book data received in the receiving step, when it is determined
that the registration of a new destination is restricted in the second
determination step, wherein the address book data is registered in the
registration step, when it is determined that the identification
information that shows a new destination is not added to the address book
data concerned in the third determination step.

[0017]Accordingly, a fifth aspect of the present invention provides a
computer-readable storage medium storing a control program executing a
control method for an information processing apparatus, the control
method comprising a registration step of registering a destination into
an address book, a first determination step of determining whether the
destination that is to be registered in the registration step is a new
destination, an addition step of adding identification information that
shows a new destination to the address book when dete nined as a new
destination in the first determination step, and a requirement step of
requiring transmitting and registering the address book data to another
information processing apparatus.

[0018]Accordingly, a sixth aspect of the present invention provides a
computer-readable storage medium storing a control program executing a
control method for an information processing apparatus, the control
method comprising a registration step of registering a destination into
an address book, a receiving step of receiving address book data from
another information processing apparatus, a second determination step of
determining whether registration of a new destination is restricted when
registering the address book, and a third determination step of
determining whether identification information that shows a new
destination is added to the address book data received in the receiving
step, when it is determined that the registration of a new destination is
restricted in the second determination step, wherein the address book
data is registered in the registration step, when it is determined that
the identification information that shows a new destination is not added
to the address book data concerned in the third determination step.

[0019]According to the present invention, the security is improved by
restricting improper registration of the address book data.

[0020]Further features of the present invention will become apparent from
the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the
attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an information processing
system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing configurations of an
electronic mail server and a file sharing server shown in FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a common
configuration of an address book client and an address book server in
FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a view showing a screen example displayed on an
operation-display unit in FIG. 3 for directing transmission of a scan
image.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a view showing a screen example displayed on the
operation-display unit in FIG. 3 for restricting a new destination.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a view showing a screen example displayed on the
operation-display unit in FIG. 3 for inputting a new destination.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a view showing a screen example registering an address
book server.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a view showing a screen example of a local address book
displayed on the operation-display unit in FIG. 3.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a view showing a screen example of a remote address book
displayed on the operation-display unit in FIG. 3.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a view showing a screen example of a transmission history
displayed on the operation-display unit in FIG. 3.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a view showing a screen example displayed on the
operation-display unit in FIG. 3 for calling a transmission setting
history by a call.

[0032]FIG. 12 is a view showing a screen example displayed on the
operation-display unit in FIG. 3 for setting permission or prohibition of
registration of the address book.

[0033]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing procedures of a registration process
that is executed by the address book client in FIG. 1 to register the
address book data to the address book server.

[0034]FIG. 14 is a view showing data structure of the address book stored
in the address book client in FIG. 3.

[0035]FIG. 15 is a view showing a screen example of a registration result
of the address book displayed on the operation-display unit in FIG. 3.

[0036]FIG. 16 is a view showing a screen example of a registration result
of the address book displayed on the operation-display unit in FIG. 3.

[0037]FIG. 17 is a view showing a screen example of a registration result
of the address book displayed on the operation-display unit in FIG. 3.

[0038]FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing procedures of a registration process
that is executed by the address book server to register the address book
data when the address book data is registered to the address book server
from the address book client in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039]Hereafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0040]FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an information processing
system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0041]The information processing system in FIG. 1 is configured by an
electronic mail server 101, a file sharing server 102, a first address
book client 103, a second address book client 104, and an address book
server 105, which are connected through a network 106.

[0042]The first address book client 103 and the second address book client
104 are able to refer to an address book registered in an HDD 306 (see
FIG. 3 showing a common configuration of the clients and the server) of
the address book server 105 via the network 106.

[0043]Address book data registered in the HDD 306 of the first address
book client 103 and the second address book client 104 can be registered
into the address book server 105 via the network 106.

[0044]The first address book client 103, the second address book client
104, and the address book server 105 are multifunctional peripheral
devices (image processing apparatuses). Therefore, they have a copying
function to copy a paper document, and a transmitting function to
transmit electronic data that is converted from a paper document to a
desired destination as an electronic mail through the electronic mail
server 101, or to a folder on the file sharing server 102. It should be
noted that the multifunctional peripheral devices in this embodiment are
examples of the image processing apparatus, and the present invention may
be applied to image processing apparatuses, for example, a scanner, a
facsimile, a copier, a printer, etc. other than the multifunctional
peripheral device.

[0045]FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing configurations of
the electronic mail server 101 and the file sharing server 102 shown in
FIG. 1. Hereafter, the configuration of the electronic mail server 101
will be described as a representative.

[0046]The electronic mail server 101 is provided with a CPU 201 that
performs data processing (manages an entire control), a keyboard 202 by
which a user inputs data, a display 203 that displays a computer screen,
and a mouse 204 by which the user operates a mouse cursor.

[0047]Moreover, the electronic mail server 101 is provided with an HDD 205
that stores data, a network I/F unit 206 that communicates with the
network 106, and a memory 207 that stores data temporarily.

[0048]FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a common
configuration of the first address book client 103, the second address
book client 104 and the address book server 105 in FIG. 1. Hereafter, the
configuration of the second address book client 104 will be described as
a representative.

[0049]The second address book client 104 is provided with a CPU 301 that
performs data processing, an operation-display unit 302 that displays
information to a user and receives an operation from the user, and an
outputted image processing unit 303 that converts an inputted paper
original into electronic data and applies image processing to the
electronic data.

[0050]Moreover, the second address book client 104 is provided with a
printer unit 304 that prints print data and raster image data on a paper,
a memory 305 that stores data temporarily, and the HDD 306 that stores
image data.

[0051]Furthermore, the second address book client 104 is provided with a
network I/F unit 307 that communicates with the network 106, a FAX
communication unit 308 that carries out FAX communication, and an
inputted image processing unit 309 that scans a paper original.

[0052]FIG. 4 is a view showing a screen 401 for transmitting the document
scanned by the first address book client 103 or the second address book
client 104 in FIG. 3.

[0053]The screen 401 is displayed on the operation-display unit 302 in
FIG. 3. When pushing an address book button 404, a user can refer to an
address book stored in the HDD 306 or an address book registered in the
address book server 105, and can select a transmitting destination.

[0054]The selected transmitting destination is displayed in a selection
destination display unit 402. When a plurality of selected transmitting
destinations cannot be displayed within one screen, the destinations can
be scrolled and displayed by pushing a scroll button 403.

[0055]When pushing a FAX button, a file button, or an electronic mail
button displayed in a new destination area 406, a screen 601 as shown in
FIG. 6 mentioned later will be displayed. When necessary information is
inputted in the screen 601, a transmission to a destination that is not
stored in the address book becomes possible. That is, the address book
client of this embodiment can designate a transmitting destination by two
kinds of methods. One is the method of referring to the address book and
selecting a transmitting destination that is registered therein. The
other method is that a user directly inputs a transmitting destination
through the operation-display unit without using the address book. As
described later, a certain setting of the address book client prohibits a
user from inputting a new transmitting destination for the purpose of
managing designatable destinations by an administrator. In that case, the
address book client has only one method of selecting a transmitting
destination from among the transmitting destinations registered in the
address book for designating the transmitting destination.

[0056]Any resolution (200 dpi. etc.) can be set in a resolution setting
screen 407, and any file format (PDF, JPEG, etc.) can be set up in a
file-format setting screen 408.

[0057]When pushing a transmission button 409, a scan and transmission of
an original are started. When pushing a transmission history button 410,
information about transmitted results can be displayed on a screen 1001
as shown in FIG. 10 described later. A reference numeral 405 represents a
call button.

[0058]FIG. 5 is a view showing a screen 501 for restricting an input of a
new destination that is executed by selecting one of the FAX button, the
file button, and the electronic mail button displayed in the new
destination area 406 in FIG. 4.

[0059]In the screen 501, "ON" (restrict) and "OFF" (not restrict) of the
restriction can be switched for the respective transmitting protocols.
For example, a push of the ON button 502 for the FAX disables the FAX
button displayed in the new destination area 406, and an input of a new
destination will be prohibited. A push of a closed button 504 confirms
settings. A reference numeral 503 represents an OFF button.

[0060]FIG. 6 is a view showing a screen 601 for inputting information
about a transmitting destination displayed on the operation-display unit
302, when the file button in the new destination area 406 in FIG. 4 is
pushed.

[0061]Necessary information is inputted after pushing each of a host name
button 602, a path-to-folder button 603, A user name button 604, and a
password button 605. A push of a cancel button 606 cancels settings and a
push of a close button 607 confirms the settings.

[0062]FIG. 7 is a view showing a screen 701 displayed on the
operation-display unit 302 for registering the address book server 105 in
FIG. 1 into the first address book client 103 and the second address book
client 104.

[0063]In the screen 701 in FIG. 7, information required to connect to the
address book server 105 is inputted after pushing each of a server name
button 702, a server address button 703, a user name button 704, and a
password button 705. A push of a cancel button 706 cancels settings and a
push of a close button 707 confirms the settings.

[0064]FIG. 8 is a view showing a screen 801 displayed on the
operation-display unit 302, when the address book button 404 in FIG. 4 is
pushed.

[0065]In the screen 801 of FIG. 8, a local address book can be displayed,
selected, and registered, and a remote address book can be displayed,
selected, and registered.

[0066]The address book data stored in the HDD 306 is displayed in an
address book display area 802. When pushing a destination registering
button 804, any destinations can be inputted and registered.

[0067]When pushing a reference-to-remote-address-book button 805, the
address book client is connected to the address book server 105 set up in
FIG. 7 through the network 106, and displays the address book data stored
in the HDD 306 of the address book server 105. The result is displayed in
a screen 901 in FIG. 9 mentioned later.

[0068]When pushing a registration-to-remote-address-book button 806, the
address book client becomes possible to register the destination selected
in the address book display area 802 into the address book of the address
book server 105. A push of a cancel button 807 cancels settings, and a
push of a close button 808 confirms the settings. A reference numeral 803
represents a scroll button.

[0069]FIG. 9 is a view showing a screen 901 displayed on the
operation-display unit 302, when the reference-to-remote-address-book
button 805 in FIG. 8 is pushed.

[0070]The address book data stored in the HDD 306 of the address book
server 105 can be displayed, selected, and registered by operations from
the operation-display unit 302 of the first address book client 103 or
the second address book client 104.

[0071]When the address book cannot be displayed within one screen, the
address book can be scrolled and displayed by pushing a scroll button
903. When pushing a destination registering button 904, any destination
can be inputted and registered into the address book stored in the HDD
306 of the address book server 105. When pushing a close button 904, the
screen 901 will be closed and the screen 801 for the local address book
will be displayed again. A reference numeral 902 represents an address
book display area.

[0072]FIG. 10 is a view showing a screen 1001 displayed on the
operation-display unit 302, when the transmission history button 410 in
FIG. 4 is pushed.

[0073]The transmitted result is displayed in an address book display area
1002. In the address book display area 1002, time and date of the
transmission, the transmitting destination, the result, etc. are
displayed. When the history cannot be displayed within one screen, the
history can be scrolled and displayed by pushing a scroll button 1004.

[0074]When the transmitted result is selected (an area 1003) and a
registration-to-local-address-book button 1005 or a
registration-to-remote-address-book button 1006 is pushed, the
destination selected by the area 1003 becomes possible to be registered
into each address book. When pushing a close button 1007, the screen 1001
will be closed and the screen 401 will be displayed again.

[0075]FIG. 11 is a view showing a screen 1101 displayed on the
operation-display unit 302, when the call button 405 in the screen 401 in
FIG. 4 is pushed.

[0076]The screen 1101 is provided with a display area 1102 for calling the
transmitting setting resolution, the file format, the transmitting
destination, etc. of the transmission performed in the past. When pushing
the history button 1103, the immediately previous setting, the secondary
previous setting, and the third previous setting can be called.

[0077]The transmitting destination called by the history button 1103
becomes possible to be registered into each address book when a
registration-to-local-address-book button 1104 or a
registration-to-remote-address-book button 1105 will be pushed.

[0078]When pushing a cancel button 1106, the setting called by the call
button 405 is canceled, and the screen 401 is displayed again. When
pushing a close button 1107, the setting by the call button 405 is
called, and the screen 401 is displayed again.

[0079]FIG. 12 is a view showing a screen 1201 displayed on the
operation-display unit 302 for setting permission or prohibition of
registration of the address book data from the first address book client
103 or the second address book client 104 into the address book of the
address book server 105 in FIG. 1.

[0080]A push of a permission button 1202 allows registration of the
address book data of the first address book client 103 or the second
address book client 104 into the address book of the address book server
105.

[0081]A push of a prohibition button 1203 prohibits registration of the
address book data of the first address book client 103 or the second
address book client 104 into the address book of the address book server
105. Reference numerals 1204 and 1205 represent a cancel button and a
close button, respectively.

[0082]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing procedures of a registration process
that is executed by the first address book client 103 or the second
address book client 104 in FIG. 1 to register the address book data to
the address book server 105.

[0083]The registration process of the address book data by the address
book client is executed by the CPU in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 according to a
registration processing recipe of the address book data by the address
book client that is a registration processing program of a corresponding
address book data.

[0084]First, the address book client (a first information processing
apparatus) registers the destination to the address book (the local
address book) based on the input of the button 804 in the screen 801, the
button 1005 in the screen 1001, or the button 1104 in the screen 1101
(step S1301).

[0085]In this case, the address book client determines whether the
destination that is to be registered is a destination inputted in the new
destination area 406 (step S1302). This determination process is an
example of a first determination unit in this embodiment.

[0086]If the destination has been inputted in the new destination area
406, the address book client registers the destination to the address
book of the address book client by adding information (identification
information) that shows a new destination to the address book data as
shown in FIG. 14 (step S1303). The destination represented by a flag of
"YES" in FIG. 14 is a new destination. The destination represented by a
flag of "NO" is not a new destination.

[0087]FIG. 14 shows a data structure of the address book data that is
currently held by the address book client. The flag 1401 that shows
whether the destination has been inputted in the new destination input
area 406 or not, and data 1402 that shows a transmitting protocol of the
destination are added other than the destination, the user name, and the
password.

[0088]When the destination does not have been inputted in the new
destination area 406, that is, when it has been inputted by the
destination registering button 804 in the screen 801, the address book
client adds the information that it is not a new destination to the
address book data shown in FIG. 14 (step S1305). Then, the data is
registered into the address book of the address book client.

[0089]Next, the address book client requires the address book server (a
second information processing apparatus) 105 to register the address book
data (step S1304).

[0090]This registration requirement is executed by pushing the button 806
in the screen 801, the button 1006 in the screen 1001, or the button 1105
in the screen 1101.

[0091]The address book client receives a response from the address book
server 105 and determines whether the response means registration success
(step S1306). When receiving the response of the registration success,
the address book client displays a message showing the registration
success as shown in FIG. 15 (step S1309). This displaying process is an
example of a first display unit in this embodiment.

[0092]When receiving the response that means an error of registration
(failure of registration) from the address book server 105, the address
book client analyzes the error (step S1307). Then, the address book
client displays a message (an error message) corresponding to contents of
the error (step S1308). This displaying process is an example of a second
display unit in this embodiment.

[0093]For example, when the address book server 105 is set to prohibit the
registration of the address book in the screen 1201 in FIG. 12, a message
as shown in a screen 1601 in FIG. 16 is displayed.

[0094]When the address book server 105 is set to restrict the registration
of a new destination in the screen 501 in FIG. 5 and when the address
book data to be registered is an address of a new destination, a message
as shown in a screen 1701 in FIG. 17 is displayed.

[0095]FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing procedures of a registration process
that is executed by the address book server to register the address book
data when the address book data is registered to the address book server
from the address book client 103 or the address book client 104 in FIG.
1.

[0096]The registration process of the address book data by the address
book server is executed by the CPU in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 according to a
registration processing recipe of the address book data by the address
book server that is a registration processing program of a corresponding
address book data.

[0097]The address book server 105 receives the registration requirement of
the address book data from the address book client (step S1801).

[0098]Next, the address book server 105 determines whether the address
book server 105 has been set to permit registration of the address book
in FIG. 13, (step S1802).

[0099]When it is determined that the address book server 105 has been set
to prohibit registration of the address book in the step S1802, the
address book server 105 returns a registration prohibition error to the
address book client (step S1809).

[0100]When it is determined that the address book server 105 has been set
to permit registration of the address book in the step S1802, the address
book server 105 determines whether restriction for a new destination in
FIG. 5 is set (step S1803). This determination process is an example of a
second determination unit in this embodiment.

[0101]When it is determined that the restriction has not been set in the
step S1803, the address book server 105 registers the address book data
transmitted from the address book client into the address book (step
S1804).

[0102]When the registration of the address book is completed, the address
book server 105 returns the registration success to the address book
client (step S1805).

[0103]When it is determined that a new destination is restricted in the
step S1803, the address book server 105 analyzes the flag 1401 that shows
a new destination in the address book data transmitted from the address
book client (step S1804). The address book server 105 determines whether
the destination that is required to register has been registered as a new
destination (step S1806). This determination process is an example of a
third determination unit in this embodiment.

[0104]When it is determined that the destination that is required to
register is not address book data that is registered as a new destination
in the step S1806, the address book server 105 registers the destination
into the address book (step S1804), and returns the registration success
to the address book client (step S1805).

[0105]When it is determined that the destination that is required to
register is address book data that is registered as a new destination in
the step S1806, the address book server 105 refers to the data 1402 of
the address book data. Then, the address book server 105 determines
whether the transmitting protocol restricts registration of a new
destination in FIG. 5 (step S1807). This determination process is an
example of a fourth determination unit in this embodiment.

[0106]When it is determined that the transmitting protocol is not
restricted in the step S1807, the address book server 105 registers the
destination that is required to register into the address book (step
S1804), and returns the registration success to the address book client
(step S1805).

[0107]When it is determined that the transmitting protocol is restricted
in the step S1807, the address book server 105 returns a new-destination
prohibition error to the address book client (step S1808).

[0108]The present invention restricts improper registration of the address
book data from the address book client that occurs when the address book
server restricts a new destination input and the address book client does
not restrict a new destination input. This is able to improve security.

[0109]Since the address book data registered from the address book
registration screen becomes possible to register into the address book
server, it does not reduce a user's operability.

Other Embodiments

[0110]Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer
of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out
and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the
functions of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the
steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by,
for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory
device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For
this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a
network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory
device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

[0111]While the present invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the
following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0112]This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application
No. 2009-155254, filed on Jun. 30, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.